Well Maybe I was Late.....But Illness Will Do That Sometimes

Sorry for the late posting folks. I was deathly ill and am almost inclined to think that I might have had what some are calling the "Katrina Cough." Nevertheless, during my convalescence, I was able to retrieve the contact information as promised relating to notifying record companies and media outlets of your dissatisfaction (and hopefully you are) with low expectation Black imagery and entertainment.

Here are a few folks you need to converse with:

Island Def Jam
Worldwide Plaza
825 8th Avenue, 28th Floor
New York, NY 10019
212-333-8000

or email them via-

http://www.defjam.com

BET
1900 "W" Place, NE
Washington, DC 20018
202-608-2000
TVviewerscomments@bet.com

If you plan to write to BET (someone has to put 106 & Park out of its Coon misery) I would suggest you address letters to either Debra L. Lee (the current CEO) or Reginald Hudlin (of the Hudlin Brothers, recently named President of Entertainment and also a comic book dude, damn).

Reginald can also be contacted through his website:

http://www.hudlinentertainment.com

Interscope Records
2220 Colorado Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310-865-1000
fax#310-865-7096

And if you have been living under a rock for the last 15 years, the man to contact at Interscope is the infamous, Jimmy Iovine. More contacts to come.

Better Late Than Never....the Plan that is

Unfortunately, I am expounding on this later than I wanted to but as the title of this post suggests.... Take a look at exhibit A if you will. The above video is a fairly popular song by 50 cent, entitled Disco Inferno....definitely not to be confused with the 70s hit by the Trammps. I'm as red-blooded as the next guy but when do we say enough? Never mind that the above video may actually be considered tame compared to far more graphic fodder that can be seen in regular rotation on BET's Uncut. My last post highlighted a concerted effort to put the mass media on notice regarding the desecration of Black imagery for the all-mighty dollar. Thanks to Lisa Fager, president and co-founder of Industry Ears, a new think tank of broadcast and music industry professionals has been created to at the very least expand the image of African American entertainment. Hopefully Industry Ears can lessen the impact that the music and accompanying videos like Fitty's are not the only images that can influence young impressionable minds. As I have stated a few times on this blog, I am not fond of some of the music that is force fed the general public. This feeding is not by accident. Riddle me this Batman...how do you defecate on the Black image and satisfy one's monetary hunger for the overwhelmingly White suburban teenage consumer? Pump numerous gangsta and sexually infused songs (and videos) through media outlets like Clear Channel and Emmis Communications, that's how! In my next post I will provide contact addresses of some of these media outlets in order to voice your disapproval....I also promise to close the casket on Black. White. Stay tuned.

Oh...as a side note. The above video was submitted by a young lady by the name of Maisha....from Thailand. This is what the world thinks about Black folk. Time to change that perception. Check out Maisha's my space page. Maybe she is a hip hop fan....You think?

http://www.myspace.com/qmaisha

Did I say That I love it when a Plan Comes Together?

Unfortunately due to time constraints, I did not have enough time to provide a synopsis of an article written by columnist Stanley Crouch, but I wanted to at least provide a link:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/col/story/405261p-343192c.html

It appears that finally someone is doing something about the proliferation of gangsta rap (to the exclusion of progressive hip hop and alternative Black music) in media. Later today I will discuss the article and of course last night's episode of Black. White.

Hail the Grups!

I recently picked up the latest issue of New York Magazine which showcases the phenomenon of being a "grup." If anyone is familiar with Star Trek (the original series), there was an episode that dealt with Kirk and his crew encountering a planet full of kids that did not have any adults (seemingly). These kids were actually a few centuries old and just did not reach adulthood and refered to adults as grups (a.k.a grown-ups). The reason why I picked up this article is because I guess it describes my attitude to a "t." My peers and I still buy comics, music, remain fashion conscious and waiting with baited breath for Playstation 3. Never mind that we range in age from 30 to 40. I get this attitude from my father who also to this day is a very hip cat. Maybe Russell Simmons initiated this trend or was it Dorian Gray (pictured above). I think for a select few the generation gap exists but if hiphop is to be used as an example, this gap may have closed. Hip Hop (and fashion) has been around for almost 30 years albeit with changes. But you get my gist. Is LL Cool J that much different than say Young Jeezy or Nelly? Ok...perhaps in talent and longevity(after all he is the G.O.A.T.) but you get my drift. One suggestion however...hit the gym...that's this grup's saving grace. It seemed to work for fellow grups, LL and Will Smith. Check out the article in question below:

http://newyorkmetro.com/news/features/16529/index.html

Time for some Akshun!......I Mean a Retraction....sort of

I have to admit that I made a mistake and a retraction is due....sort of. Keeping with the prior entry's theme regarding Black Rock, I just rediscovered a great record that I suspect was somewhat panned by the hiphop buying public last year. Mos Def, who has made quite a name for himself in the thespian world, released a long awaited sophomore album some time last year. Now first off, some may perceive me to be somewhat of a music elitist and they would probably be correct. I just can not fall victim to overtly commercial music(Laffy Taffy notwithstanding...jeez) but I have to admit that I didn't quite understand Def's latest effort, The New Danger. But upon researching for the Black Rock entry, I came across a song entitled, Zimzallabim (Jonny Quest fans may be familiar with the term) from the Danger cd and it was simply smokin.' I went throught the album quickly upon its release the first time and just wasn't impressed if not disappointed. This time around I actually listened and that's where the retraction comes in. Danger is definitely an experimental work with it's culmination of funk, rock and blues but it's just what the current state of hiphop music needs at this moment. The weird thing is...I have done this before with another favorite artist of mine...Prince. It was the Around the World in a Day album and I just didn't get it....initially. After being totally immersed in the Purple Rain movie and album, ATWID just didn't cut it. But after numerous listenings, Around the World became an imprint in my mental musical repertoire. The same has happened to me with Danger. Do yourself a favor listen to this album....really listen and I assure you this is a Danger you should seek.

Before there was Rock....There was Black Rock

To make a blunt statement....I detest the current state of Black music. And thankfully there are others that feel the same way. Take a peek, if you will, the above trailer for Electric Purgatory, a documentary that showcases African-American musicians that defy categorization. The documentary has been making the rounds in numerous venues around the country, hopefully acting as a wake-up call for Black folks to embrace a music and culture that is inherently African-American. Who says Black people don't play Rock music...just ask Prince, Living Colour, Fishbone and a whole host of indie bands. In an upcoming log entry I will really provide an in-depth overview of stylized Black pop, hip-hop and the dearth of true innovative musicianship in the African-American community. Or rather, why we do not see and hear this music. For more information, check out:

http://www.electricpurgatory.com/film.html

Sisters....Case of the SOBWD's (Scary Old Black Woman's Disease)?

I'm not sure if I have a point with this next entry only that it seems that we may have another case of what I call SOBWD (Scary Old Black Woman's Disease). This term came about while I was listening to Howard Stern as he was describing Diana Ross and her DUI encounter with authorities a few years back. Is it really that simple whereby a woman of color reaches a certain age and aberrant nonsensical behavior ensues? Of course I am being facetious but allow me this indulgence in describing two cases that are eerily similar. On March 29th, Democratic Congresswoman Cynthia Mckinney(pictured above, from Georgia's 4th district) allegedly struck a United States Capitol Police officer with her cellular phone after he allegedly grabbed her arm as she went around the metal detectors upon entering the Longworth House Office Building located in Washington, D.C. Congressional Members possess identifying lapel pins and are not required to pass through metal detectors. McKinney stated that she was not wearing her pin that morning, but did show her Congressional identification badge. The officer apparently did not recognize the Congresswoman and the rest as they say is history. Mckinney is decrying racism and the Capitol Police are still investigating the matter-no charges have been filed to date. What makes this altercation more disturbing is that Mckinney has had a history of mishaps with Capitol security dating back to 93' all stemming from her refusal in wearing her Congressional pin.

In the case of Naomi Campbell(I'm sure you are aware of her famous face), on March 30th (did she get together with McKinney to plan this?) she allegedly struck her assistant, Ana Scolavino, 41, accusing her of stealing a pair of designer jeans. Scolavino allegedly required several stitches and Campbell was subsequently arrested. Naomi's weapon of choice....you guessed it..a cell phone. Neither woman is owning up to their alleged transgressions. Campbell is claiming that her assistant struck herself obfuscating the fact that she too has had a history of striking her peons (or is that pee-ons). What is mindbogling is how this will be played in the media and why would these high profile sisters risk their status for tomfoolery. Better yet, will we(joe public) let this slide? False claims, if that is the case in these matters, can fall into a "boy who cried wolf syndrome" making it difficult to fight legitimate occurrences. And is this a case of age, in which these women may be getting older and having problems with entitlement issues. All that I would ask is that these persons "get a grip" and realize that your status and/or wealth should forever be present in your minds eye...let's hope that they get their just desserts. Hopefully not the kind that requires frosting.